Caldo Verde Salad

Caldo Verde is a pretty hardy Portuguese soup that is great on a cold winter's night. While it hasn't been the hottest summer (I am thrilled about that!), it certainly isn't hot soup weather. But I found a way to combine the basic elements (kale, chorizo, potatoes) into a warm salad that is suitable for hot weather, but also really hardy and satisfying. I used some veggie chorizo I found which was pretty good...and very spicy! But use whatever you want.

Salad

1/2 lb chorizo turkey or veggie sausage
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbls cider vinegar

4 small white waxy potatoes, cubed
2 tbls lemon juice
1/2 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste

1 bunch kale, washed, dried and chopped

Dressing

1 clove garlic
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup reduced fat vegan mayo
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tbls Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the dressing, place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

For the salad, toss potatoes with lemon juice, oil, garlic and seasonings. Spread in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 400 for 30-40 minutes until golden. Saute onion and sausage with cider vinegar until sausage is cooked and onion has softened. Toss kale in a large bowl with desired amount of dressing. Add potatoes and sausage/onion mixture. Toss well and serve. Serve warm/room temperature.

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